Network-based synchronization system and method

ABSTRACT

A network-based synchronization system includes a server executing an electronic tax preparation program. The server is in communication with first and second computing devices through first and second networks. The first computing device utilizes the electronic tax preparation program. The second computing device is a mobile communication device including an image acquisition component and a mobile application executing thereon. The server, and the first and second computing devices are cooperatively operable through the first and second networks to synchronize the electronic tax preparation program and the mobile application based at least in part upon data acquired by the image acquisition component. The server receives the data acquired by the image acquisition component and transmits the data to the first computing device to synchronize the mobile application and the electronic tax preparation program.

SUMMARY

Embodiments are directed to network-based synchronization systems. Inparticular, embodiments are directed to synchronized tax dataacquisition systems including network-based synchronization systems.

In one embodiment directed to a network-based synchronization system,the system includes a server having a server processor and executing anelectronic tax preparation program operable to prepare an electronic taxreturn. The server is in communication with a first computing devicecomprising a first processor through a first network and a secondcomputing device comprising a second processor through a second network.The first computing device utilizes the electronic tax preparationprogram. The second computing device is a mobile communication deviceincluding an image acquisition component. The system also includes amobile application executing on the second computing device and incommunication with the server. The mobile application executed by thesecond computing device, the server and the first computing device arecooperatively operable through the first network and the second networkto synchronize the electronic tax preparation program utilized by thefirst computing device and the mobile application executing on thesecond computing device. The synchronization is based at least in partupon data acquired by the image acquisition component of the secondcomputing device. The server receives the data acquired by the imageacquisition component from the second computing device through thesecond network. The server transmits the data received from the secondcomputing device to the first computing device through the first networkto synchronize the mobile application executing on the second computingdevice and the electronic tax preparation program utilized by the firstcomputing device.

In another embodiment directed to a computer-implemented method ofsynchronizing an electronic tax preparation program utilized by a firstcomputing device and a mobile application executing on a secondcomputing device, the method includes receiving data acquired by theimage acquisition component from the second computing device through asecond network. The method also includes transmitting the data receivedfrom the second computing device to the first computing device through afirst network. The method further includes synchronizing the mobileapplication and the electronic tax preparation program based at least inpart on the transmitted data.

In one or more embodiments, the server hosts the mobile application. Theserver may transmit the mobile application to the second computingdevice. The first computing device may include a browser that isexecutable to communicate through the first network with the server. Thefirst computing device may utilize the electronic tax preparationprogram through the browser and the first network.

In one or more embodiments, synchronizing the mobile application and theelectronic tax preparation program includes adjusting a state of theelectronic tax preparation program in response to a change in a state ofthe mobile application. The state of the mobile application may relateto data acquired by the image acquisition component of the secondcomputing device. The state of the mobile application may relate tooptical character recognition of the data acquired by the imageacquisition component of the second computing device. The state of themobile application may relate to a location in a series of interviewscreens.

In one or more embodiments, synchronizing the mobile application and theelectronic tax preparation program includes adjusting a state of the inresponse to a change in a state of the electronic tax preparationprogram. The state of the electronic tax preparation program may relateto a location in a series of interview screens.

In one or more embodiments, the first processor is configured toautomatically advance a state of the electronic tax preparation programin response to a state of the mobile application being advanced.

In one or more embodiments, the second processor is configured toautomatically advance a state of the mobile application in response to astate of the electronic tax preparation program being advanced.

In one or more embodiments, the server processor is configured to recordrespective states of the electronic tax preparation program and themobile application. The image acquisition component may obtain an imageof a tax document. The server processor may be configured to obtain taxinformation from the image of the tax document. The server processor maybe configured to perform optical character recognition on the image ofthe tax document in order to obtain the tax information.

In one or more embodiments, the server processor generates a uniquesession identifier to facilitate communication between the first andsecond computing devices. The server processor may also generate animage acquisition request and send the image acquisition request to thesecond processor. The image acquisition request may include the uniquesession identifier. The image acquisition request may include an SMSmessage including a hyperlink. The second processor may activate themobile application when the hyperlink is selected.

In one or more embodiments, the first processor generates and directsdisplay of a summary page including acquired tax information. Thesummary page may also include an identification of a tax document fromwhich the tax information was acquired. The first processor may send thesummary page to the second computing device for display thereon.

In one or more embodiments, the first computing device is a stationarycomputing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of embodiments are described in furtherdetail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the sameelements in different figures are referred to by common referencenumerals, wherein:

FIGS. 1 to 7 are schematic diagrams illustrating the implementation ofsynchronized tax data acquisition systems including on computing devicesaccording to various embodiments.

FIGS. 8 to 10 are block diagrams of computer systems according tovarious embodiment on which a synchronized tax data acquisition systemmay be implemented.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a computing apparatus or system in whichvarious embodiments may be implemented or that may be utilized toexecute various embodiments.

FIGS. 12 and 26 are flow charts depicting a synchronized computerimplemented methods of acquiring tax data according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 13 to 25 and 27 to 37 are exemplary screen shots displayed duringexecution of a synchronized tax data acquisition system on a computersystem according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 38 and 39 are flow charts depicting computer implemented methodsof synchronizing tax data acquisition according to various embodiments.

In order to better appreciate how to obtain the above-recited and otheradvantages and objects of various embodiments, a more detaileddescription of embodiments is provided with reference to theaccompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are notdrawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions arerepresented by like reference numerals throughout. It will be understoodthat these drawings depict only certain illustrated embodiments and arenot therefore to be considered limiting of scope of embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Electronic tax return preparation programs can be accessedthrough/utilized by many different types of computers, includingstationary (e.g., “desktop”) computers and mobile (e.g., “laptop”)computers. Mobile computers also include “hand-held” computers such asmobile communication devices (e.g., “smartphones”). Hand-held computers,such as smartphones, include components that may be missing from somestationary computers. For instance, smartphones may include an imageacquisition component (e.g., a camera), which may be missing from atleast some stationary computers. Therefore, users of electronic taxreturn preparation programs running on smartphones may have access to acamera, while those using electronic tax return preparation programsrunning on stationary computers may not. On the other hand, users mayfind that the electronic tax return preparation programs running onsmartphones have limitations, such as those relating to smartphone userinterfaces (e.g., lack of physical keyboard and limited display size).Accordingly, it may be desirable to facilitate a user preparing anelectronic tax return using electronic tax return preparation programs(including different iterations thereof) running on both a stationarycomputer and a smartphone.

When preparing an electronic tax return using electronic tax returnpreparation programs running on both a stationary computer and asmartphone, the electronic tax return preparation programs, or differentiterations thereof, may become unsynchronized. For example, whenunsuccessfully using the camera on a smartphone to capture an image of atax documents, the related electronic tax return preparation programrunning on the stationary computer may become “frozen” as it is unableto proceed until the image is captured.

Embodiments described in this application are directed to network-basedsynchronization systems for synchronizing electronic tax returnpreparation programs running on two computers (e.g., a stationarycomputer and a smartphone) to prepare a single electronic tax return.The embodiments address and the computer-centric and Internet-centricproblem of preventing instances of electronic tax return preparationprograms running on two computers (coupled by the Internet) from havingstates that are different from each other. The embodiments also improveother technologies such as electronic tax return preparation, mobileapplications, image analysis, and data acquisition.

In particular, an exemplary network-based synchronization systemincludes a server in communication with first and second computersthrough first and second networks, respectively. The network-basedsynchronization system is configured to synchronize programs utilized bythe first and second computers. The first computer utilizes anelectronic tax return preparation program. The second computer utilizesa mobile application. Tax document image acquisition systems having aserver, and first and second computers are described in U.S. Utilitypatent application Ser. No. 13/781,571 (attorney docket no. INT-149-US1(137251)), entitled “TAX DOCUMENT IMAGING AND PROCESSING,” the contentsof which are fully incorporated herein by reference as though set forthin full.

As used in this application, a “preparer,” “user” or “taxpayer”includes, but is not limited to, a person preparing a tax return usingtax return preparation software. The “preparer,” “user” or “taxpayer”may or may not be obligated to file the tax return. As used in thisapplication, a “previous tax return” or “prior tax return” includes, butis not limited to, a tax return (in electronic or hard copy form) for ayear before the current tax year. As used in this application, “taxdata” includes, but is not limited to, information that may affect auser's income tax burden, including information typically included in atax return. The term “tax data,” as used in this application, alsoincludes, but is not limited to, partially or fully completed tax forms(electronic, hard copy and images thereof) that include informationtypically included in a tax return. As used in this application, “taxdocument” includes, but is not limited to, physical documents containingtax data, and images thereof.

As used in this application, “computer,” “computer device,” or“computing device” includes, but are not limited to, a computer (laptopor desktop) and a computer or computing device of a mobile communicationdevice, smartphone and tablet computing device such as an IPAD(available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.). As used in thisapplication, “tax preparation system,” “tax preparation computingdevice,” “tax preparation computer,” “tax preparation software,” “taxpreparation module,” “tax preparation application,” “tax preparationprogram,” “tax return preparation system,” “tax return preparationcomputing device,” “tax return preparation computer,” “tax returnpreparation software,” “tax return preparation module,” “tax returnpreparation application,” or “tax return preparation program” includes,but are not limited to, one or more separate and independent softwareand/or hardware components of a computer that must be added to a generalpurpose computer before the computer can prepare tax returns, andcomputers having such components added thereto.

As used in this application, “server” or “server computer” includes, butis not limited to, one or more separate and independent software and/orhardware components of a computer that must be added to a generalpurpose computer before the computer can receive and respond to requestsfrom other computers and software in order to share data or hardware andsoftware resources among the other computers and software, and computershaving such components added thereto. As used in this application,“mobile computer” or “handheld computer” includes, but is not limitedto, computers configured (e.g., having a form factor) to be held in ahand of a user during the normal course of use. As used in thisapplication, “stationary computer” includes, but is not limited to,computers configured (e.g., having a form factor) to be stationaryrelative to a user during the normal course of use.

As used in this application, “mobile application” includes, but is notlimited to, one or more separate and independent software components ofa computer that must be added to a general purpose handheld computerbefore the handheld computer can run the mobile application. As used inthis application, “synchronization program” includes, but is not limitedto, one or more separate and independent software components of acomputer that must be added to a general purpose computer before thecomputer can synchronize the respective states of a plurality ofcomputer programs.

As used in this application, “input/output module” includes, but is notlimited to, one or more separate and independent software and/orhardware components of a computer that must be added to a generalpurpose computer before the computer can communicate with and facilitatethe receipt and transfer of information, including tax data and taxdocuments, from and to other computers. As used in this application,“memory module” includes, but is not limited to, one or more separateand independent software and/or hardware components of a computer thatmust be added to a general purpose computer before the computer canstore information, including tax data and tax documents.

As used in this application, “camera controller” includes, but is notlimited to, one or more separate and independent software and/orhardware components of a computer that must be added to a generalpurpose computer before the computer can control an image capturedevice. As used in this application, “synchronization module” includes,but is not limited to, one or more separate and independent softwareand/or hardware components of a computer that must be added to a generalpurpose computer before the computer can synchronize the respectivestates of a plurality of computer programs. As used in this application,“session identifier generator” includes, but is not limited to, one ormore separate and independent software and/or hardware components of acomputer that must be added to a general purpose computer before thecomputer can create a character string to synchronize the respectivestates of a plurality of computer programs. As used in this application,“state tracker” includes, but is not limited to, one or more separateand independent software and/or hardware components of a computer thatmust be added to a general purpose computer before the computer canreceive and store the respective states of a plurality of computerprograms.

As used in this application, “tax data extraction module” includes, butis not limited to, one or more separate and independent software and/orhardware components of a computer that must be added to a generalpurpose computer before the computer can obtain tax data from images oftax documents. As used in this application, “image quality module”includes, but is not limited to, one or more separate and independentsoftware and/or hardware components of a computer that must be added toa general purpose computer before the computer can analyze thesuitability of an image for data acquisition. As used in thisapplication, “optical character recognition module” includes, but is notlimited to, one or more separate and independent software and/orhardware components of a computer that must be added to a generalpurpose computer before the computer can obtain alphanumeric charactersfrom images.

As used in this application, “website” includes, but is not limited to,one or more operatively coupled webpages. As used in this application,“browser” or “web browser” includes, but is not limited to, one or moreseparate and independent software and/or hardware components of acomputer that must be added to a general purpose computer before thecomputer can receive, display and transmit resources from/to the WorldWide Web.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary hardware system 100 on which a tax dataacquisition system including a network-based synchronization system(i.e., a synchronized tax data acquisition system) according to oneembodiment may be executed. The hardware system 100 according to thisembodiment includes a server computer 102, and first and secondcomputers 104, 106, all operative coupled by a network 108 (e.g., a WANnetwork like the Internet). The network 108 may also include a privatecommunication network 108, such as a cellular data network. The firstcomputer 104 may be a stationary computer (e.g., a desktop computer) andthe second computer 106 may be a handheld computer (e.g., a smartphone)having an image acquisition device 118.

The synchronized tax data acquisition system includes an electronic taxreturn preparation program 110 and a synchronized tax data acquisitionprogram 112 running on the server computer 102. Examples of electronictax return preparation programs 110 that may be programmed to utilizetax data acquired by the synchronized tax data acquisition systemaccording to embodiments include, but are not limited to, desktop oronline versions of TURBOTAX, PROSERIES and LACERTE tax returnpreparation applications, available from Intuit Inc.; H&R BLOCK taxreturn preparation application available from H&R Block, Inc.; andTAXACT tax return preparation application available from TaxAct, Inc.TURBOTAX, PROSERIES AND LACERTE are registered trademarks of IntuitInc., Mountain View, Calif. H&R BLOCK is a registered trademark of HRBInnovations, Inc., Las Vegas, Nev. TAXACT is a registered trademark ofTaxAct, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Notwithstanding the listing of theseexemplary programs 110, synchronized tax data acquisition systems 112according to the described embodiments are usable with all tax returnpreparation programs. The electronic tax return preparation program 110and the synchronized tax data acquisition program 112 can communicatewith each other through a bus (not shown).

The server computer 102 is specially or particularly configured oroperable to host an on-line version of the electronic tax returnpreparation program 110 and the synchronized tax data acquisitionprogram 112. The server computer 102 can also format and electronicallyfile electronic tax returns with a computer of a tax authority. Examplesof a tax authority or other tax collecting entity include a federal taxauthority, e.g., the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a state taxauthority or other tax collecting entity of the United States, a statethereof, or another country or state thereof (generally, “taxauthority”). Examples of hosts that provide the special purpose servercomputer 110 include, for example, Intuit Inc., which provides a servercomputer of the Intuit Electronic Filing Center for electronicallyfiling tax returns, and other hosts that provide electronic tax returnpreparation programs 110 and electronic filing servers.

The synchronized tax data acquisition system also includes a browser 114running on the first computer 104, where the browser 114 is configuredto access the electronic tax return preparation program 110 and thesynchronized tax data acquisition program 112 running on the servercomputer 102. The synchronized tax data acquisition system furtherincludes a mobile application 116 running on the second computer 106.The mobile application may be a plug-in, such as a JAVA plug-in or aCHROME extension. The electronic tax return preparation program 110, thesynchronized tax data acquisition program 112, the browser 114 and themobile application 116 are all operative coupled by the network 108.

While FIG. 1 depicts the browser 114 is configured to access theelectronic tax return preparation program 110 and the synchronized taxdata acquisition program 112 as running on the same server computer 102,the browser 114 is configured to access the electronic tax returnpreparation program 110 and the synchronized tax data acquisitionprogram 112 can run on different computers in other embodiments (seeFIGS. 6 and 7). While FIG. 1 depicts the first computer 104 as a desktopcomputer, the first computer 104 can be any computing device without animaging device, including a laptop computer. While FIG. 1 depicts thesecond computer 106 as a smartphone, the second computer 106 can be anymobile computing device, including a personal data assistance or tabletcomputing device (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4).

FIG. 2 depicts another exemplary hardware system 100 on which asynchronized tax data acquisition system according to another embodimentmay be executed. The hardware system 100 depicted in FIG. 2 is identicalto the hardware system 100 depicted in FIG. 1, however the synchronizedtax data acquisition systems depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 are differentbecause the mobile application 116 depicted in FIG. 1 is configured tocontrol only the image acquisition device 118. On the other hand, themobile application 116 depicted in FIG. 1 is an instance of a mobileelectronic tax return preparation program 116 that is also configured tocontrol the image acquisition device 118. As a result, the synchronizedtax data acquisition program 112 is configured to synchronize therespective states of the electronic tax return preparation program 110running on the first computer 104 and the mobile electronic tax returnpreparation program 116 running on the second computer 106.

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict other exemplary hardware systems 100 on whichrespective synchronized tax data acquisition systems according to otherembodiments may be executed. The hardware systems 100 depicted in FIGS.3 and 4 are similar to those depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, however thesecond computers 106 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 are tablet computingdevices (instead of smartphones depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2).

FIG. 5 depicts still another exemplary hardware system 100 on which asynchronized tax data acquisition system according to another embodimentmay be executed. The hardware system 100 depicted in FIG. 5 is similarto the hardware system 100 depicted in FIG. 1. However, the first andsecond computers 104, 106 are operatively coupled to the server computer102 by first and second networks 108-1, 108-2, respectively, instead ofby the same network (as in FIG. 1). Each of the first and secondnetworks 108-1, 108-2 may include a wide area network, such as theInternet and/or a private communication network 108, such as a cellulardata network.

FIG. 6 depicts yet another exemplary hardware system 100 on which asynchronized tax data acquisition system according to another embodimentmay be executed. The hardware system 100 depicted in FIG. 6 is similarto the hardware system 100 depicted in FIG. 5. However, the systemincludes first and second server computers 102-1, 102-2, instead of asingle server computer (as in FIG. 5). The electronic tax returnpreparation program 110 runs on the first server computer 102-1. Thesynchronized tax data acquisition program 112 runs on the second servercomputer 102-2. The first and second computers 104, 106 are respectivelyoperatively coupled to the first and second server computers 102-1,102-2 by first and second networks 108-1, 108-2. The first and secondserver computers 102-1, 102-2 are operatively coupled to each other by athird network 108-3. Each of the first, second and third networks 108-1,108-2, 108-3 may include a wide area network, such as the Internetand/or a private communication network 108, such as a cellular datanetwork.

FIG. 7 depicts still another exemplary hardware system 100 on which asynchronized tax data acquisition system according to another embodimentmay be executed. The hardware system 100 depicted in FIG. 7 is similarto the hardware system 100 depicted in FIG. 6. However, the first andsecond server computers 102-1, 102-2 and the first and second computers104, 106 are operatively coupled together by a single network 108,instead of multiple networks (as in FIG. 6). The electronic tax returnpreparation program 110 runs on the first server computer 102-1. Thesynchronized tax data acquisition program 112 runs on the second servercomputer 102-2. The networks 108 may include a wide area network, suchas the Internet and/or a private communication network 108, such as acellular data network.

While FIGS. 1-7 depict one pair of first and second computers 104, 106operatively coupled to the server computer 102, in other embodiments, aplurality of pairs of first and second computers (not shown) may beoperatively coupled to the server computer 102 simultaneously forsynchronized tax data acquisition. Each pair of first and secondcomputers may be used by a separate user. Accordingly, each pair offirst and second computers is identified with a unique sessionidentifier to reduce the risk of unintended dissemination ofconfidential tax information.

While the electronic tax return preparation programs 110 depicted inFIGS. 1-7 run on respective server computers 102 and are accessedthrough respective browsers 114 running on respective first computers104, in other embodiments, the electronic tax return preparation programmay be a local program running on the first computer. For ease ofexplanation, reference is made generally to electronic tax returnpreparation program 110. Similarly, while the mobile applications 116depicted in FIGS. 1-7 run on respective second computers 106, in otherembodiments, a program performing the same functions as theabove-described mobile applications may run on the server computer, andbe accessed through a mobile browser running on the second computer 106.For ease of explanation, reference is made generally to mobileapplication 116. Some or all of the various computers 102, 104, 106include visual displays or screens operatively coupled thereto.

Each of the networks 108 discussed herein (generally, network 108) maybe two or more different but interconnected networks depending on thesystem configuration and communication protocols employed. The network108 may include, for example, a wireless or cellular network, a LocalArea Network (LAN) and/or a Wide Area Network (WAN). Reference tonetwork 108 generally is not intended to refer to a specific network orcommunications protocol, and embodiments can be implemented usingvarious networks and combinations thereof.

FIG. 8 depicts, in greater detail, another hardware system 100configured to host a synchronized tax data acquisition system accordingto one embodiment. Like the hardware systems 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-4,the hardware system 100 in FIG. 8 includes a server computer 102 andfirst and second computers 104, 106, all operatively coupled by anetwork 108. The first computer 104 includes an input/output module 120,a memory module 122 and a processor 124 (i.e., a first processor). Thesecond computer 104 includes an input/output module 120, a memory module122, a processor 124 (i.e., a second processor) and a camera controller.The server computer 102 includes an input/output module 120, a memorymodule 122, a processor 124 (i.e., a server processor), asynchronization module 128 and a tax data extraction module 130. Theinput/output modules 120 are configured to communicate with andfacilitate the receipt and transfer of tax data, including images of taxdocuments, from and to various computers (e.g., server computer 102,first computer 104, and second computer 106) for tax data acquisition.The memory modules 122 are configured to store tax data, includingimages of tax documents, in proper formats for tax data acquisition. Theuser processors 124 are configured to run respectively programs (i.e.,electronic tax return preparation program 110, synchronized tax dataacquisition program 112, browser 114 and mobile application 116).

The camera controller 126 is configured to control an image acquisitiondevice 118 for acquiring images (e.g., of tax documents). Thesynchronization module 128 is configured to synchronize the respectivestates of a plurality of programs running on a plurality of computers.The plurality of programs may be instances of a single program (e.g.,the electronic tax return preparation program 110). The tax dataextraction module 130 is configured to obtain tax data from images oftax documents.

FIG. 9 depicts, in even greater detail, another hardware system 100configured to host a synchronized tax data acquisition system accordingto one embodiment. Like the hardware systems 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-4and 8, the hardware system 100 in FIG. 9 includes a server computer 102and first and second computers 104, 106, all operatively coupled by anetwork 108. The system configuration, the computers 102, 104, 106 andthe various components and modules depicted in FIG. 9 are similar tothose depicted in FIG. 8. The synchronization module 128 and tax dataextraction module 130 are depicted in greater detail in FIG. 9.

The synchronization module 128 includes a session identifier generator132 and a state tracker 134. The session identifier generator 132 isconfigured to create a unique character string (“session identifier”)utilized to synchronize the respective states of a plurality of computerprograms. In systems with a plurality of pairs of computers to beindependently synchronized, the unique session identifiers (generated bythe synchronization module 128) reduce the likelihood of a firstcomputer being mistakenly synchronized with the wrong second computer.The unique session identifiers also reduce the likelihood of unintendeddissemination of confidential tax information. The state tracker 134 isconfigured to receive and store the respective states of a plurality ofcomputer programs. While FIG. 9 depicts the session identifier generator132 and the state tracker 134 as parts of the synchronization module128, these components/modules may be separately found in the servercomputer 102, as shown in FIG. 10.

The tax data extraction module 130 includes an image quality module 136and an optical character recognition (“OCR”) module 138. The imagequality module 136 is configured to analyze the suitability of an image(e.g., of a tax document) for data acquisition. The image qualify modulecan compare various characteristics of a tax document image (e.g.,brightness, focus, contrast, etc.) to respective thresholds to determinethe suitability of the image. The OCR module 138 includes is configuredto obtain alphanumeric characters from images. While FIG. 9 depicts theimage quality module 136 and the OCR module 138 as parts of the tax dataextraction module 130, these components/modules may be separately foundin the server computer 102, as shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 generally illustrates certain components of a computing device200 that may be utilized to execute embodiments and that includes amemory 210, program instructions 212, a processor or controller 220 toexecute instructions 212, a network or communications interface 230,e.g., for communications with a network or interconnect 240 between suchcomponents. The memory 210 may be or include one or more of cache, RAM,ROM, SRAM, DRAM, RDRAM, EEPROM and other types of volatile ornon-volatile memory capable of storing data. The processor unit 220 maybe or include multiple processors, a single threaded processor, amulti-threaded processor, a multi-core processor, or other type ofprocessor capable of processing data. Depending on the particular systemcomponent (e.g., whether the component is a computer or a hand heldmobile communications device), the interconnect 240 may include a systembus, LDT, PCI, ISA, or other types of buses, and the communications ornetwork interface may, for example, be an Ethernet interface, a FrameRelay interface, or other interface. The network interface 230 may beconfigured to enable a system component to communicate with other systemcomponents across a network which may be a wireless or various othernetworks. It should be noted that one or more components of computingdevice 200 may be located remotely and accessed via a network.Accordingly, the system configuration provided in FIG. 11 is provided togenerally illustrate how embodiments may be configured and implemented.The processors 124 in the server computer 102, the first computer 104and the second computer 106 are programmed with respective electronictax return preparation program 110, synchronized tax data acquisitionprogram 112, browser 114 and mobile application 116 so that they are nolonger generic computers.

Having described various aspects of synchronized tax data acquisitionsystems according to various embodiments, computer-implemented methodsfor acquiring tax data using the synchronized tax data acquisitionsystems will now be described. The methods also include synchronizingthe states of a plurality of programs used to acquire the tax data.

FIG. 12 depicts a computer-implemented method 300 for acquiring tax datafrom tax documents executed according to one embodiment by asynchronized tax data acquisition system running on a hardware system100, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 for example. The synchronized tax dataacquisition system can include an electronic tax return preparationprogram 110 and a synchronized tax data acquisition program 112, bothrunning on a server computer 102. The synchronized tax data acquisitionsystem can also include a browser 114 running on a first computer 104,and configured to access the electronic tax return preparation program110 and the synchronized tax data acquisition program 112. Thesynchronized tax data acquisition system can further include a mobileapplication 116 running on a second computer 106. The electronic taxreturn preparation program 110, the synchronized tax data acquisitionprogram 112, the browser 114 and the mobile application 116 can beoperatively coupled by at least one network 108. Method 300 runs on thefirst computer 104 and the server 102. Method 300 is operatively coupledto method 400 depicted in FIG. 26, which runs on the second computer 106and the server 102.

At step 302, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays amessage on a user interface 140 on a first computer 104 informing a userthat tax data can be acquired from a tax document (e.g., a W-2), asshown in FIG. 13. The user interface 140 may be part of a webpagedisplayed via the browser 114 running on a first computer 104 of theuser. The browser 114 (or another instance of a browser 114) running onthe first computer 104 may also access an electronic tax returnpreparation program 110, which is configured to prepare a tax returnusing, in part, tax data from the synchronized tax data acquisitionsystem.

At step 304, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays amessage on the user interface 140 on the first computer 104 asking theuser to choose between two methods of acquiring tax data from a W-2(typing or machine acquisition (i.e., “start with my W-2”)), as shown inFIG. 14. The user interface 140 includes two user interface objects 142configured to allow the user to select between the two methods ofacquiring tax data.

At step 306, the synchronized tax data acquisition system determineswhether the W-2 must be assigned to a particular taxpayer. Thesynchronized tax data acquisition system can make this determinationautomatically (e.g., by noting that the tax return is for a marriedcouple). The synchronized tax data acquisition system can also make thisdetermination by seeking user input through the user interface (notshown). If the synchronized tax data acquisition system determines thatthe W-2 must be assigned to a particular taxpayer, the synchronized taxdata acquisition system proceeds to step 308. Otherwise, thesynchronized tax data acquisition system proceeds to step 310, bypassingstep 308.

At step 308, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays amessage on the user interface 140 on the first computer 104 asking theuser to assign the W-2, as shown in FIG. 15. The user interface 140includes two user interface objects 142 configured to allow the user toassign the W-2 to the taxpayer or their spouse. In other embodiments,the synchronized tax data acquisition system may display a message anduser interface objects 142 configured to allow the user to assign theW-2 to other taxpayers as appropriate.

At step 310, the synchronized tax data acquisition system determineswhether the user intends to take a picture of the W-2 or to attempt toimport the data in the W-2. The synchronized tax data acquisition systemcan make this determination by seeking user input through the userinterface (not shown). If the synchronized tax data acquisition systemdetermines that the user intends to take a picture of the W-2, thesynchronized tax data acquisition system proceeds to step 312.Otherwise, the synchronized tax data acquisition system proceeds to step314, bypassing step 312.

At step 312, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays amessage on the user interface 140 on the first computer 104 asking theuser to proceed to taking a picture of the W-2, as shown in FIG. 16. Theuser interface 140 includes two user interface objects 142 configured toallow the user to proceed to taking a picture of the W-2, or backing outof the picture taking process. From step 312, the synchronized tax dataacquisition system moves onto step 318.

At step 314, the synchronized tax data acquisition system attempts toimport the W-2 information (e.g., using an API for a payroll processor).At step 316, the synchronized tax data acquisition system determineswhether the W-2 information import was successful (e.g., using the API).If the synchronized tax data acquisition system determines that the W-2information was successfully imported, the synchronized tax dataacquisition system proceeds to the end of the method at step 342. If thesynchronized tax data acquisition system determines that the W-2information was not successfully imported, the synchronized tax dataacquisition system proceeds to step 312, as described above. From step312, the synchronized tax data acquisition system moves onto step 318.

At step 318, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays amessage on the user interface 140 on the first computer 104 asking theuser to provide a mobile phone number to connect the mobile phone 106 tothe synchronized tax data acquisition system, as shown in FIG. 17. Theuser interface 140 includes a first user interface object 142 a (e.g., anumber entry box) configured to allow the user to enter the mobile phonenumber. The user interface 140 also includes a second user interfaceobject 142 b configured to allow the user to proceed to step 320. Aswith many other user interfaces 140 displayed during this method 300,this user interface 140 includes other user interface objects configuredto cancel the picture taking process or go back a step in the method.

Beginning at step 318, the synchronized tax data acquisition systembegins to synchronize the first computer 104 (stationary computer, whichis running method 300) with the second computer 106 (mobile phone, whichis running method 400). The session identifier generator 132 running onthe server computer 102 creates a unique session identifier, and sendsit to at least the first computer 104. In some embodiments, the servercomputer 102 also sends the unique session identifier to the secondcomputer 106 after the session is established. All furthercommunications between the first and second computers 104, 106 includethe unique session identifier to authenticate the communications.

At step 320, the synchronized tax data acquisition system sends an SMStext message (or “SMS message”) to the mobile phone number provided bythe user at step 318. The SMS text message (shown in FIG. 27 anddiscussed below) includes the unique session identifier and a link toactivate the mobile application 116 on the mobile phone 106. Thesynchronized tax data acquisition system also displays a message on theuser interface 140 on the first computer 104 asking the user to “checkyour phone for our text,” as shown in FIG. 18. The user interface 140includes a user interface object 142 configured to allow the user toindicate that no SMS text message was received at the mobile phone 106.

At step 322, the synchronized tax data acquisition system determineswhether the user received the SMS text message sent in step 320 (e.g.,with input from the user using the user interface 140 in FIG. 18). Ifthe user indicates receipt of the SMS text message (e.g., by interactingwith the SMS text message on the mobile phone 106), the synchronized taxdata acquisition system proceeds to step 324, which is placeholder forthe method 400 for acquiring tax data from tax documents depicted inFIG. 26. After the first and second computers 104, 106 are operativelycoupled, the state tracker 134 begins to receive and store therespective states of first and second computers 104, 106 to synchronizethese states at each step, as depicted in FIGS. 38 and 39 and describedbelow. If the user indicates that the SMS text message was not received,the synchronized tax data acquisition system proceeds to step 326.

At step 326, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays amessage on the user interface 140 on the first computer 104 asking theuser to re-enter the mobile phone number to connect the mobile phone 106to the synchronized tax data acquisition system, as shown in FIG. 19.The user interface 140 includes a first user interface object 142 a(e.g., a number entry box) configured to allow the user to re-enter themobile phone number. The user interface 140 also includes a second userinterface object 142 b configured to allow the user to proceed to step328. As with many other user interfaces 140 displayed during this method300, this user interface 140 includes other user interface objectsconfigured to cancel the picture taking process or go back a step in themethod.

At step 328, the synchronized tax data acquisition system sends anotherSMS text message to the mobile phone number provided by the user at step326. The SMS text message (shown in FIG. 27 and discussed below)includes a link to activate the mobile application 116 on the mobilephone 106. The synchronized tax data acquisition system also displays amessage on the user interface 140 on the first computer 104 asking theuser to “check your phone for another text,” as shown in FIG. 20. Theuser interface 140 includes a user interface object 142 configured toallow the user to indicate that no SMS text message was received at themobile phone 106.

At step 330, the synchronized tax data acquisition system determineswhether the user received the SMS text message sent in step 328 (e.g.,with input from the user using the user interface 140 in FIG. 18). Ifthe user indicates receipt of the SMS text message (e.g., by interactingwith the SMS text message on the mobile phone 106), the synchronized taxdata acquisition system proceeds to step 324, which is placeholder forthe method 400 for acquiring tax data from tax documents depicted inFIG. 26. If the user indicates that the SMS text message (the second SMStext message) was not received, the synchronized tax data acquisitionsystem proceeds to step 332. Although the method 300 describesproceeding to step 332 after two SMS text messages are sent and notreceived, the number of SMS text messages can be modified to be higheror lower.

At step 332, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays amessage on the user interface 140 on the first computer 104 informingthe user that the tax document image acquisition is not working andasking the user to proceed to typing the W-2 information, as shown inFIG. 21. The synchronized tax data acquisition system then proceeds tothe end of the method at step 342.

When the method 400 for acquiring tax data from tax documents depictedin FIG. 26 acquires an image of a tax document, the synchronized taxdata acquisition system returns to the method 300 for acquiring tax datafrom tax documents depicted in FIG. 12 at step 334. At step 334, thesynchronized tax data acquisition system determines whether the image(e.g., quality and OCR) was acceptable for data acquisition. If theimage was acceptable, the synchronized tax data acquisition systemproceeds to step 336. If the image was not acceptable, the synchronizedtax data acquisition system proceeds to step 338.

At step 336, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays amessage on the user interface 140 on the first computer 104 informingthe user that the tax document image is acceptable, as shown in FIG. 22.The user interface 140 also determines whether the user is doneacquiring tax document images. The user interface 140 includes a firstuser interface object 142 c configured to allow the user to stopacquiring tax document images and proceed to step 340. The userinterface 140 also includes a second user interface object 142 dconfigured to allow the user to acquire tax data from another W-2 byproceeding to step 324. This second tax document image acquisitionsession may be associated with the previously generated unique sessionidentifier or a new session identifier. When this second tax documentimage acquisition session is successfully completed, the synchronizedtax data acquisition system displays a message on the user interface 140on the first computer 104 informing the user that the second W-2 hasalso been added, as shown in FIG. 23. If the user selects the first userinterface object 142 d, the synchronized tax data acquisition systemdirects the user to go back to the mobile phone 106, which issynchronized to capture another image.

At step 338, the synchronized tax data acquisition system determineswhether it has experienced a third image acquisition failure. Forinstance, the image quality module 136 can include a counter todetermine the number of failures. If the synchronized tax dataacquisition system determines that it has experienced a third failure,it proceeds to step 332 and displays the user interface 140 in FIG. 21.If the synchronized tax data acquisition system determines that it hasnot experienced a third failure, it proceeds to step 324 and tries toacquire the tax document image again. This second attempt may beassociated with the previously generated unique session identifier or anew session identifier.

At step 340, the synchronized tax data acquisition system thesynchronized tax data acquisition system displays a message (i.e., asummary page) on the user interface 140, as shown in FIG. 24. Thesummary page informs the user that tax data from the one or more W-2'shas been saved in the electronic tax return preparation program 110, andsummarizes that information for the user's review. The summary pageincludes an identification of a tax document from which the taxinformation was acquired. The summary page can be displayed on both ofthe first and second computers 104, 106. The user interface 140 includesa user interface object 142 configured to allow the user to proceed tothe end of the method at step 342, when the user has completed review ofthe summary page.

FIG. 26 depicts a computer-implemented method 400 for acquiring tax datafrom tax documents executed according to one embodiment by asynchronized tax data acquisition system running on a hardware system100, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 for example. The synchronized tax dataacquisition system can include an electronic tax return preparationprogram 110 and a synchronized tax data acquisition program 112, bothrunning on a server computer 102. The synchronized tax data acquisitionsystem can also include a browser 114 running on a first computer 104,and configured to access the electronic tax return preparation program110 and the synchronized tax data acquisition program 112. Thesynchronized tax data acquisition system can further include a mobileapplication 116 running on a second computer 106. The electronic taxreturn preparation program 110, the synchronized tax data acquisitionprogram 112, the browser 114 and the mobile application 116 can beoperatively coupled by at least one network 108. Method 400 runs on thesecond computer 106 and the server 102. Method 400 is operativelycoupled to method 300 depicted in FIG. 12, which runs on the firstcomputer 104 and the server 102. During the entire method 400, the statetracker 134 receives and stores the respective states of first andsecond computers 104, 106 to synchronize these states at each step, asdepicted in FIGS. 38 and 39 and described below.

At step 402, the synchronized tax data acquisition system proceeds fromprocesses related to the first (e.g., desktop) computer 104 (method 300,FIG. 12) to processes related to the second (e.g., mobile phone)computer 106 (method 400, FIG. 26), which is indicated by step 324 inmethod 300. The synchronized tax data acquisition system displays an SMStext message on a user interface 140 on a second computer 106 (e.g., amobile phone) asking the user to securely acquire an image of a taxdocument, as shown in FIG. 27. The user interface 140 may be part of atext application running on a second computer 106 of the user. The userinterface 140 includes a user interface object 142 (e.g., a hyperlink)configured to allow the user instantiate a mobile application 116 toconnect the first and second computers 104, 106.

At step 404, the synchronized tax data acquisition system determineswhether the link (i.e., user interface object 142) received in step 402is valid. For instance, a link can be invalid if it has expired. If thesynchronized tax data acquisition system determines that the link isvalid, the synchronized tax data acquisition system proceeds to step406. If the synchronized tax data acquisition system determines that thelink is not valid, the synchronized tax data acquisition system returnsto step 326 of method 300 depicted in FIG. 12 to attempt to send a newSMS text message. When the synchronized tax data acquisition systemarrives at step 326 from step 404, the user interface 140 displayed atstep 326 is the one shown in FIG. 25. From step 326, the synchronizedtax data acquisition system returns to step 324. Although the method 400describes proceeding to step 326 from step 404, the synchronized taxdata acquisition system may include a “third failure” exit to ENDsimilar to the one in step 338 of method 300.

At step 406, the synchronized tax data acquisition system determineswhether the W-2 must be assigned to a particular taxpayer, as in step306. The synchronized tax data acquisition system can make thisdetermination automatically (e.g., by importing the information obtainedin step 306 of method 300). The synchronized tax data acquisition systemcan also make this determination by seeking user input through the userinterface (not shown). If the synchronized tax data acquisition systemdetermines that the W-2 must be assigned to a particular taxpayer, thesynchronized tax data acquisition system proceeds to step 408.Otherwise, the synchronized tax data acquisition system proceeds to step410, bypassing step 408.

At step 408, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays amessage on the user interface 140 on the mobile phone 106 asking theuser to assign the W-2, as shown in FIG. 28. The user interface 140includes two user interface objects 142 configured to allow the user toassign the W-2 to the taxpayer or their spouse. In other embodiments,the synchronized tax data acquisition system may display a message anduser interface objects 142 configured to allow the user to assign theW-2 to other taxpayers as appropriate. At step 408, the synchronized taxdata acquisition system automatically advances the state of the browser114 running on first computer 104 to step 308 (FIG. 15).

At step 410, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays amessage on the user interface 140 on the mobile phone 106 includingphoto tips to help the user acquire an acceptable image of the taxdocument, as shown in FIG. 29. These tips may include positioning,lighting and steadiness. At step 410, the synchronized tax dataacquisition system automatically advances the state of the browser 114running on first computer 104 such that it displays a user interface(not shown) indicating that the mobile phone 106 is acquiring the taxdocument image.

At step 412, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays auser interface 140 on the mobile phone 106 configured to control theimage acquisition device 118 on the mobile phone 106, as shown in FIG.30. The user interface 140 includes a user interface object 142configured to allow the user to take a picture of a tax document usingthe image acquisition device 118 on the mobile phone 106. At step 412,the synchronized tax data acquisition system maintains the state of thebrowser 114 running on first computer 104 such that it displays the userinterface (not shown) indicating that the mobile phone 106 is acquiringthe tax document image.

At step 414, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays auser interface 140 on the mobile phone 106 configured to allow the userto choose whether to use the image captured at step 412, as shown inFIG. 31. The user interface 140 includes a first user interface object142 f configured to allow the user to proceed to step 416 with thecaptured image. The user interface 140 also includes a second userinterface object 142 g configured to allow the user to take anotherimage of the tax document by returning to step 412. At step 414, thesynchronized tax data acquisition system maintains the state of thebrowser 114 running on first computer 104 such that it displays the userinterface (not shown) indicating that the mobile phone 106 is acquiringthe tax document image.

At step 416, the synchronized tax data acquisition system determineswhether the tax document image has acceptable brightness. Thesynchronized tax data acquisition system can make this determinationautomatically by having the image quality module 136 of the tax dataextraction module 130 analyze the captured image. If the tax documentimage has acceptable brightness, the synchronized tax data acquisitionsystem proceeds to step 418. If the tax document image does not haveacceptable brightness, the synchronized tax data acquisition systemproceeds to step 420, bypassing step 418. At step 416, the synchronizedtax data acquisition system maintains the state of the browser 114running on first computer 104 such that it displays the user interface(not shown) indicating that the mobile phone 106 is acquiring the taxdocument image.

At step 418, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays auser interface 140 on the mobile phone 106 configured to inform the userthat the synchronized tax data acquisition system is confirming W-2information (i.e., checking image and OCR quality), as shown in FIG. 32.At step 418, the synchronized tax data acquisition system maintains thestate of the browser 114 running on first computer 104 such that itdisplays the user interface (not shown) indicating that the mobile phone106 is acquiring the tax document image.

At step 420, the synchronized tax data acquisition system determineswhether it has experienced a third image acquisition failure. Forinstance, the image quality module 136 can include a counter todetermine the number of failures. If the synchronized tax dataacquisition system determines that it has experienced a third failure,it proceeds to step 432 and displays the user interface 140 in FIG. 37.From step 432, the synchronized tax data acquisition system proceeds tostep 332 (“not working, let's type) of method 300. If the synchronizedtax data acquisition system determines that it has not experienced athird failure, it proceeds to step 430, and tries to acquire the taxdocument image again. This second attempt may be associated with thepreviously generated unique session identifier or a new sessionidentifier. If synchronized tax data acquisition system determines thatit has not experienced a third failure, it maintains the state of thebrowser 114 running on first computer 104 such that it displays the userinterface (not shown) indicating that the mobile phone 106 is acquiringthe tax document image.

At steps 422 and 424, the synchronized tax data acquisition systemdetermines whether the tax document image has been uploaded successfullyand has acceptable OCR, respectively. The synchronized tax dataacquisition system can make these determinations automatically by havingthe image quality module 136 of the tax data extraction module 130analyze the uploaded and OCR'ed images, respectively. If the taxdocument image has been uploaded successfully (step 422), thesynchronized tax data acquisition system proceeds to step 424. If thetax document image has acceptable OCR (step 424), the synchronized taxdata acquisition system proceeds to step 426. If the tax document imagehas not been successfully uploaded at step 422, the synchronized taxdata acquisition system proceeds to step 430, and tries to acquire thetax document image again. If the tax document image does not haveacceptable

OCR at step 424, the synchronized tax data acquisition system proceedsto the third failure analysis in step 420, which is described above. Atsteps 422 and 424, the synchronized tax data acquisition systemmaintains the state of the browser 114 running on first computer 104such that it displays the user interface (not shown) indicating that themobile phone 106 is acquiring the tax document image.

At step 426, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays auser interface 140 on the mobile phone 106 configured to inform the userthat the tax document image is acceptable, as shown in FIG. 33. The userinterface 140 includes a first user interface object 142 c configured toallow the user to stop acquiring tax document images and proceed to step428. The user interface 140 also includes a second user interface object142 d configured to allow the user to acquire tax data from another W-2.If the user selects the first user interface object 142 d, thesynchronized tax data acquisition system returns to step 406, which isdescribed above. This second tax document image acquisition session maybe associated with the previously generated unique session identifier ora new session identifier. At step 426, the synchronized tax dataacquisition system maintains the state of the browser 114 running onfirst computer 104 such that it displays the user interface (not shown)indicating that the mobile phone 106 is acquiring the tax documentimage.

At step 428, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays auser interface 140 on the mobile phone 106 configured to inform the userthat the synchronized tax data acquisition system will switch back tothe first computer 104 (i.e., desktop), as shown in FIG. 34. At step428, the synchronized tax data acquisition system automatically advancesthe state of the browser 114 running on first computer 104 to step 340(summary page, on FIG. 24).

At step 430, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays auser interface 140 on the mobile phone 106 configured to inform the userthat the synchronized tax data acquisition system should acquire anotherimage of the W-2, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36. The messaging is the onlydifference between FIGS. 35 and 36. The messaging can be tailored toconform to the failure that resulted in the synchronized tax dataacquisition system arriving at step 430. The user interface 140 includesa first user interface object 142 g configured to allow the user to takeanother image of the tax document by returning to step 412. The userinterface 140 also includes a second user interface object 142 econfigured to allow the user to switch back to the first computer 104 bygoing to step 428. If the user selects the first user interface object142 g, the synchronized tax data acquisition system maintains the stateof the browser 114 running on first computer 104 such that it displaysthe user interface (not shown) indicating that the mobile phone 106 isacquiring the tax document image. If the user selects the second userinterface object 142 e, the synchronized tax data acquisition systemwill end up at step 340.

At step 432, the synchronized tax data acquisition system displays auser interface 140 on the mobile phone 106 configured to inform the userthat the tax document image acquisition is not working, and thatsynchronized tax data acquisition system should switch back to the firstcomputer 104 (i.e., desktop), as shown in FIG. 37. At step 432, thesynchronized tax data acquisition system automatically advances thestate of the browser 114 running on first computer 104 to step 332(didn't work, let's type, on FIG. 21).

FIG. 38 depicts a computer-implemented method 500 for synchronizing amobile application 116 and an electronic tax return preparation program110, while acquiring tax data from tax documents, executed according toone embodiment by a synchronized tax data acquisition system running ona hardware system 100, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 for example. Thesynchronized tax data acquisition system can include an electronic taxreturn preparation program 110 and a synchronized tax data acquisitionprogram 112, both running on a server computer 102. The synchronized taxdata acquisition system can also include a browser 114 running on afirst computer 104, and configured to access the electronic tax returnpreparation program 110 and the synchronized tax data acquisitionprogram 112. The synchronized tax data acquisition system can furtherinclude a mobile application 116 running on a second computer 106. Theelectronic tax return preparation program 110, the synchronized tax dataacquisition program 112, the browser 114 and the mobile application 116can be operatively coupled by at least one network 108. Method 500 runson the server 102, more particularly, the state tracker 134 of theserver 102. Method 500 is operatively coupled to methods 300 and 400depicted in FIGS. 12 and 26, respectively.

At step 502, the synchronized tax data acquisition system receives achange in a state of the mobile application 116. The synchronized taxdata acquisition system can receive this state change because the mobileapplication 116 is configured to update the state tracker 134 every timeit changes state. Alternatively, the state tracker 134 can be configuredto monitor the state of the mobile application 116 at pre-determinedtime intervals.

At step 504, the synchronized tax data acquisition system determines acorresponding state for the electronic tax return preparation program110 based on the received state change of the mobile application 116.The state tracker 134 may utilize a look up table to determine thecorresponding state for the electronic tax return preparation program110.

At step 506, the synchronized tax data acquisition system generates astate change request conforming to the corresponding state for theelectronic tax return preparation program 110, as determined in step504. The state change request is sent to the electronic tax returnpreparation program 110 in step 508.

While the previous embodiments (e.g., FIGS. 12, 26 and 38) describesynchronizing a state of the electronic tax return preparation program110 based on a state change in the mobile application 116, the state ofthe mobile application 116 can also be synchronized based on a statechange in the electronic tax return preparation program 110. Forinstance, FIG. 39 depicts a computer-implemented method 600 forsynchronizing an electronic tax return preparation program 110 and amobile application 116, while acquiring tax data from tax documents,executed according to one embodiment by a synchronized tax dataacquisition system running on a hardware system 100, as shown in FIGS. 1to 10 for example. The synchronized tax data acquisition system caninclude an electronic tax return preparation program 110 and asynchronized tax data acquisition program 112, both running on a servercomputer 102. The synchronized tax data acquisition system can alsoinclude a browser 114 running on a first computer 104, and configured toaccess the electronic tax return preparation program 110 and thesynchronized tax data acquisition program 112. The synchronized tax dataacquisition system can further include a mobile application 116 runningon a second computer 106. The electronic tax return preparation program110, the synchronized tax data acquisition program 112, the browser 114and the mobile application 116 can be operatively coupled by at leastone network 108. Method 600 runs on the server 102, more particularly,the state tracker 134 of the server 102. Method 600 is operativelycoupled to methods 300 and 400 depicted in FIGS. 12 and 26,respectively.

At step 602, the synchronized tax data acquisition system receives achange in a state of the electronic tax return preparation program 110.The synchronized tax data acquisition system can receive this statechange because the electronic tax return preparation program 110 isconfigured to update the state tracker 134 every time it changes state.Alternatively, the state tracker 134 can be configured to monitor thestate of the electronic tax return preparation program 110 atpre-determined time intervals.

At step 604, the synchronized tax data acquisition system determines acorresponding state for the mobile application 116 based on the receivedstate change of the electronic tax return preparation program 110. Thestate tracker 134 may utilize a look up table to determine thecorresponding state for the mobile application 116.

At step 606, the synchronized tax data acquisition system generates astate change request conforming to the corresponding state for themobile application 116, as determined in step 604. The state changerequest is sent to the mobile application 116 in step 608.

The methods 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 depicted in FIGS. 12, 26, 38 and 39involve interactions between a synchronized tax data acquisition program112, an electronic tax return preparation program 110 and a mobileapplication 116. The networked communications between these programsoccur in real-time, such that the user's experience has no noticeabletime lag in switching between the electronic tax return preparationprogram 110 and the mobile application 116.

While FIGS. 12-37 depict embodiments for acquiring tax data from W-2documents, the described methods are not so limited. Further, whileembodiments have been described for acquiring tax data for use by taxreturn preparation programs, other embodiments include systems andmethods for collecting data from documents using two computers ingeneral. For instance, embodiments include systems and methods forcollecting data from documents for financial programs including billpayment programs (such as online banking programs) and financialmanagement systems (such as MINT or QUICKEN financial managementsystems).

Such systems and methods would have similar construction and function asthe systems and methods for acquiring tax data described above. Forinstance, such financial data acquisition systems may include thefollowing elements: a synchronized financial data acquisition system(analogous to the synchronized tax data acquisition system); a financialdata source document (analogous to the tax data document); a network108; a server 102; a first computer 104; a second computer 106; asynchronized financial data acquisition program (analogous to thesynchronized tax data acquisition program 112; a financial data sourceprogram (analogous to the tax data source program 116); a browser 114;and a mobile application 116.

Further, sources of tax documents include, but are not limited to,documents from government databases, such as property tax records,Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) records and US Census data) and otherexternal sources. MINT and QUICKEN are registered trademarks of IntuitInc., Mountain View, Calif.

Where methods and steps described above indicate certain eventsoccurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art havingthe benefit of this disclosure would recognize that the ordering ofcertain steps may be modified and that such modifications are inaccordance with the variations of the disclosed embodiments.Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in aparallel process as well as performed sequentially. Thus, the methodsshown in various flow diagrams are not intended to be limited to aparticular sequential order, unless otherwise stated or required.

Accordingly, embodiments are intended to exemplify alternatives,modifications, and equivalents that may fall within the scope of theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A network-based synchronization system,comprising: a server comprising a server processor and executing anelectronic tax preparation program operable to prepare an electronic taxreturn, the server being in communication with a first computing devicecomprising a first processor through a first network and incommunication with a second computing device comprising a secondprocessor through a second network, wherein the first computing deviceutilizes the electronic tax preparation program, and wherein the secondcomputing device is a mobile communication device including an imageacquisition component; and a mobile application executing on the secondcomputing device and being in communication with the server, wherein themobile application executed by the second computing device, the serverand the first computing device are cooperatively operable through thefirst network and the second network to synchronize the electronic taxpreparation program utilized by the first computing device and themobile application executing on the second computing device based atleast in part upon data acquired by the image acquisition component ofthe second computing device, wherein the server is configured to receivethe data acquired by the image acquisition component from the secondcomputing device through the second network, and the server isconfigured to transmit the data received from the second computingdevice to the first computing device through the first network tosynchronize the mobile application executing on the second computingdevice and the electronic tax preparation program utilized by the firstcomputing device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the server hosts themobile application.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the server isconfigured to transmit the mobile application to the second computingdevice.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first computing deviceincludes a browser that is executable to communicate through the firstnetwork with the server.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the firstcomputing device utilizes the electronic tax preparation program throughthe browser and the first network.
 6. The system of claim 1, whereinsynchronizing the mobile application and the electronic tax preparationprogram comprises adjusting a state of the electronic tax preparationprogram in response to a change in a state of the mobile application. 7.The system of claim 6, wherein the state of the mobile applicationrelates to data acquired by the image acquisition component of thesecond computing device.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the state ofthe mobile application relates to optical character recognition of thedata acquired by the image acquisition component of the second computingdevice.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein the state of the mobileapplication relates to a location in a series of interview screens. 10.The system of claim 1, wherein synchronizing the mobile application andthe electronic tax preparation program comprises adjusting a state ofthe in response to a change in a state of the electronic tax preparationprogram.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the state of the electronictax preparation program relates to a location in a series of interviewscreens.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first processor isconfigured to automatically advance a state of the electronic taxpreparation program in response to a state of the mobile applicationbeing advanced.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the second processoris configured to automatically advance a state of the mobile applicationin response to a state of the electronic tax preparation program beingadvanced.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the server processor isconfigured to record respective states of the electronic tax preparationprogram and the mobile application.
 15. The system of claim 1, whereinthe image acquisition component is configured to obtain an image of atax document.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the server processoris configured to obtain tax information from the image of the taxdocument.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the server processor isconfigured to perform optical character recognition on the image of thetax document in order to obtain the tax information.
 18. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the server processor is configured to generate a uniquesession identifier to facilitate communication between the first andsecond computing devices.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the serverprocessor is configured to generate an image acquisition request and tosend the image acquisition request to the second processor.
 20. Thesystem of claim 19, wherein the image acquisition request includes theunique session identifier.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the imageacquisition request comprises an SMS message including a hyperlink. 22.The system of claim 21, wherein the second processor is configured toactivate the mobile application when the hyperlink is selected.
 23. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first processor is configured to generateand direct display of a summary page including acquired tax information.24. The system of claim 23, wherein the summary page also includes anidentification of a tax document from which the tax information wasacquired.
 25. The system of claim 23, wherein the first processor isalso configured to send the summary page to the second computing devicefor display thereon.
 26. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstcomputing device is a stationary computing device.
 27. Acomputer-implemented method of synchronizing an electronic taxpreparation program utilized by a first computing device and a mobileapplication executing on a second computing device, wherein the secondcomputing device includes an image acquisition component, the methodcomprising: receiving data acquired by the image acquisition componentfrom the second computing device through a second network; transmittingthe data received from the second computing device to the firstcomputing device through a first network; and synchronizing the mobileapplication and the electronic tax preparation program based at least inpart on the transmitted data.
 28. The method of claim 27, furthercomprising hosting the mobile application.
 29. The method of claim 28,further comprising transmitting the mobile application to the secondcomputing device.
 30. The method of claim 27, further comprisingcommunicating with a browser executed on the first computing devicethrough the first network.
 31. The method of claim 27, whereinsynchronizing the mobile application and the electronic tax preparationprogram comprises adjusting a state of the electronic tax preparationprogram in response to a change in a state of the mobile application.32. The method of claim 27, wherein synchronizing the mobile applicationand the electronic tax preparation program comprises adjusting a stateof the in response to a change in a state of the electronic taxpreparation program.
 33. The method of claim 27, wherein synchronizingthe mobile application and the electronic tax preparation programcomprises instructing the electronic tax preparation program toautomatically advance a state of the electronic tax preparation programin response to a state of the mobile application being advanced.
 34. Themethod of claim 27, wherein synchronizing the mobile application and theelectronic tax preparation program comprises instructing the mobileapplication to automatically advance a state of the mobile applicationin response to a state of the electronic tax preparation program beingadvanced.
 35. The method of claim 27, further comprising recordingrespective states of the electronic tax preparation program and themobile application.
 36. The method of claim 27, further comprisingobtaining tax information from an image of a tax document acquired bythe image acquisition component.
 37. The method of claim 36, furthercomprising performing optical character recognition on the image of thetax document to obtain the tax information.
 38. The method of claim 27,further comprising generating a unique session identifier to facilitatecommunication between the first and second computing devices.
 39. Themethod of claim 38, further comprising: generating an image acquisitionrequest; and sending the image acquisition request to the secondcomputing device.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the imageacquisition request includes the unique session identifier.
 41. Themethod of claim 39, wherein the image acquisition request comprises anSMS message including a hyperlink.
 42. The method of claim 41, whereinthe hyperlink is configured to activate the mobile application.
 43. Themethod of claim 38, further comprising generating a summary pageincluding acquired tax information.
 44. The method of claim 43, whereinthe summary page also includes an identification of a tax document fromwhich the tax information was acquired.